Surname Kirchen - Meaning and Origin

Kirchen: What does the surname Kirchen mean?

Kirchen is a German surname with many different variations, derived from the Middle High German word “Kirche,” meaning “church.” It is believed to have originated as an occupational surname for a person who worked in the church and dating back to the late 13th century.

The earliest records of the name go back to 1297, when a certain “Heinricus de Kirche” was recorded in Strasbourg. More recently, the name has been seen in Hebrew and Yiddish, where it is spelled "Kirchener" or "Karkaner" respectively.

Over time, the name has spread across Europe, and can be found in many variants. Some of the more common variants include Kirchner, Krentz, Kirschner, Kirskene, Kirschener, Kirshkern, and Kreutner.

In the United States, the name Kirchen is most strongly associated with Germany, but has been taken up by many other cultures and ethnicities. Records of the name go back to at least the 1700s in the United States, where German and Swiss immigrants would have brought the name with them.

The name Kirchen is still fairly common throughout Europe and the United States, representing a wide variety of cultures and nationalities. It may be a simple reminder of an individual’s roots, or an indication of a person’s religious background.

Kirchen: Where does the name Kirchen come from?

The last name Kirchen is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland. It is also present across Europe in countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, France, and the UK. The family name is derived from the Middle High German word ‘kirche’, meaning church.

In Germany, the name can be found in most of the states, with especially high population concentrations in Westphalia and Bavaria. It is estimated that there are around 45,000 people living in Germany today with this family name. There is evidence that the Kirchen family has existed in the Saxony region since the fifteenth century and in Bavaria and Westphalia since the seventeenth century.

Beyond Europe, the last name is also found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as in the Middle East and parts of South America. The US is home to the largest population of Kirchens outside of Germany, estimated at over 10,000 people.

Overall, the last name Kirchen is mainly found in German-speaking countries and is present in smaller numbers beyond Europe. Although exact numbers are unknown, it is clear that this surname has been shared by many people over the course of the centuries.

Variations of the surname Kirchen

The surname Kirchen has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The surname can have several different spellings, including Kirche, Kirchener, Kirchenbauer, Kirchner, Kirchner, Kirchoff, Kirchheffer, Kirchel, Kirchmeyer, Kircher, Kirchoff, Kirchhausen, Kirchhofer, Kirchelmeier, Kirchner, Kirchelbauer, Kirchman, and Kirchmeier. It can also appear in some cases as Krikken, Krichek, Krecher, or Krehkop.

The surname Kirchen is German in origin and is derived from the word “Kirche”, meaning “church”. The surname is likely to have been used as a nickname for a person who was a church goer or could refer to someone who worked at a church, such as a priest or a church worker.

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin closely related to the surname Kirchen can be found in various countries, such as the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Russia, and Poland. They are still commonly used family names in some areas today.

In some cases, the surname Kirchen has become Anglicized into various English versions, such as Church, Churchman, Churchward, Kirk, and Kirkman.

Overall, there are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin related to the surname Kirchen. These can appear in various forms due to their German origin and can eventually be Anglicized into various English versions.

Famous people with the name Kirchen

• Richard Kirchen: American politician and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
• Lily Kirchen: British theatre director and artistic director.
• Tim Kirchen: German football manager and former player.
• Lina Kirchen: Olympian mountain bike racer from Switzerland.
• Richard Kirchen: American playwright and screenwriter.
• Robert Kirchen: American politician and United States Congressman from Wisconsin.
• Kyle Kirchen: American punk musician and writer.
• Karl Kirchen: Austrian writer and poet.
• Martin Kirchen: German singer and guitarist of the band Silly.
• Frederick Kirchen: American jazz saxophonist and bandleader.
• Leonard Kirchen: American Major League Baseball pitcher.
• Joe Kirchen: Canadian former professional ice hockey player.
• Jack Kirchen: British decorated World War II veteran and footballer.
• Bruce Kirchen: American cross-country skier.
• Ernst Kirchen: German poet and playwright.
• Clemens Kirchen: German sculptor and painter from the Baroque period.
• Odette Kirchen: French writer, literary critic, and professor.
• Willy Kirchen: German jazz guitarist.
• Agor Kirchen: Swiss electronic musician.
• Bas Kirchen: Dutch journalist and television presenter.

Other surnames

KirchKirchbauerKirchbaurKircheKirchenbauerKirchenbaurKirchenmaierKirchenmajerKirchenmayerKirchenmeierKirchenmeyerKircherKirchgaesserKirchgaeßerKirchgaessnerKirchgäsnerKirchgasserKirchgässerKirchgäßerKirchgässlerKirchgassnerKirchgässnerKirchgäßnerKirchgeorgKirchgesnerKirchgesserKirchgeßerKirchgesslerKirchgeßlerKirchgessner